Black tank flush at site or dump station?

**Vet&Eng_unplugged** · 07-18-2020, 08:47 PM

I have a general question about where people tend to use the black tank flush, at the site or at the dump station? I have two separate hoses and to date have only used the black tank flush at a dump station. I have a anti-siphon attachment on my hose and I know there's another device on the trailer, but knowing most people keep the the orange hose and maybe some "other" stuff in the same container as said hose, I would not want that attaching to the hydrant at camp site.

Thanks,
Joel

**Schiefswret** · 07-18-2020, 09:46 PM

I use the black tank flush procedure only at the campsite. If I’m bored, every-other day which is probably not necessary but I can’t imagine that will hurt anything. I think that once a week will probably be good if you are patient and thorough. One of the most common mistakes is that the operator gets side tracked when adding more water (with the valve closed) in order to produce a second or third flush and forgets the water is running / filling up the tank. I’ll let your imagination work on that one. ��. So, if you close the valve to add water to re-flush — STAY THERE, do not wander around or go to “check something real quick” as too many times (once for me on my previous rig) the person forgets and yep - you guessed it. I don’t exceed a 4 minute fill (from empty) before opening the valve again but of course it depends on how many gallon tank you have and how fast the water is exiting the hose. I also use a water “speedometer” (not the actual name) to tell me how many gallons per minute I’m putting in. I’m not sure what the benefit would be to wait until u get to the dump station when you are already hooked up to the sewer drain right at your site. Hope that is somewhat helpful.

**jmbopp** · 07-19-2020, 06:49 AM

If I have sewer hookups I'll dump and flush at the site. Besides the on-board flush system I also use a toilet wand. I have a clear elbow on the sewer outlet and there's a lot more "stuff" comes out using a flush wand.

**Vet&Eng_unplugged** · 07-19-2020, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by jmbopp

If I have sewer hookups I'll dump and flush at the site. Besides the on-board flush system I also use a toilet wand. I have a clear elbow on the sewer outlet and there's a lot more "stuff" comes out using a flush wand.

If I had an on board system, I'd probably flush at the site too. Guess I haven't yet seen an orange hose run from the hydrant to camper at a site yet, and didn't want to go against proper etiquette.

Thanks,
Joel

**Vet&Eng_unplugged** · 07-19-2020, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by Schiefswret

I use the black tank flush procedure only at the campsite. If I’m bored, every-other day which is probably not necessary but I can’t imagine that will hurt anything. I think that once a week will probably be good if you are patient and thorough. One of the most common mistakes is that the operator gets side tracked when adding more water (with the valve closed) in order to produce a second or third flush and forgets the water is running / filling up the tank. I’ll let your imagination work on that one. ��. So, if you close the valve to add water to re-flush — STAY THERE, do not wander around or go to “check something real quick” as too many times (once for me on my previous rig) the person forgets and yep - you guessed it. I don’t exceed a 4 minute fill (from empty) before opening the valve again but of course it depends on how many gallon tank you have and how fast the water is exiting the hose. I also use a water “speedometer” (not the actual name) to tell me how many gallons per minute I’m putting in. I’m not sure what the benefit would be to wait until u get to the dump station when you are already hooked up to the sewer drain right at your site. Hope that is somewhat helpful.

I stay with the task when flushing to avoid what you mentioned. Give's the me shudders just thinking about it.I do like to fill the tanks a couple times to complete flushing cycle.

**Walaby** · 07-19-2020, 08:14 AM

If I have full hookup campsite, I flush at campsite. My outside shower is in same location as all the other water connections. So, I usually just leave the fresh water hose hooked up to city water connection, and use the shower hose to connect to black tank flush. I don't use the shower for anything else, except maybe wash feet off with sand, so no worries about contamination.

If I use a dump station, and no one is waiting, I'll flush at the dump station. If there's a line, I don't.

Mike

**WhittleBurner** · 07-19-2020, 08:15 AM

When going to state or national parks they do not have full hookups. We go to these campgrounds a lot. If when leaving if there is not a line up we will go ahead and do a back flush.

**Ynot4me2** · 07-19-2020, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Vet&Eng_unplugged

I have a general question about where people tend to use the black tank flush, at the site or at the dump station? I have two separate hoses and to date have only used the black tank flush at a dump station. I have a anti-siphon attachment on my hose and I know there's another device on the trailer, but knowing most people keep the the orange hose and maybe some "other" stuff in the same container as said hose, I would not want that attaching to the hydrant at camp site.

Thanks,
Joel

If we have the hook ups it will flush at camp site. I always run the flush system also. Then add some gallons of water. When we get home, I connect to our septic system and run a few flushes.

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**geotex1** · 07-19-2020, 09:41 AM

First rule of connecting CG freshwater at site - use Clorox Anywhere and spray the hose bib threads and port. I do this and go on to level and connect shore power. After a few minute soak, and before connecting any freshwater gear, open the hose bib and let it flush through for a few minutes. This not only gets stagnant water out of the lateral but sediment which will keep your filters running longer. FYI - I'm a conscientious camper and have a a bucket and old fresh water hose that I can use if I need to redirect my flush water. This practice will alleviate your concern about and back flush, if in the rare possibility it could occur from some flushing their black tank. What forms naturally on hose bibs, especially with well water feed and the hot, humid South, for instance, can be worse.

**ckreef** · 07-19-2020, 11:23 AM

If I dump the black tank, I flush the black tank. If you don't flush after dumping you're leaving stuff in the black tank.

My orange hose is stored in an orange bucket. My blue hose is stored in a blue bucket. At the fresh water source I have a "Y" adapter with on/off valves on each side of the "Y". Blue connects to the same side of the "Y" all the time. Orange goes to the other side. I then have a 45° elbow with on/off valve at the black flush port. For black water/bacteria to get to the water source it would have to go through a one way valve, an off valve, 25' of water filled orange hose, and then through a final off valve. I just don't see that happening.